<b><center>George Springer, outfielder<br></b>
<b>Drafted: </b>11th pick in 2011.<br>
<b>Debut: </b>2014, 24 years old.<br>
<b>Results: </b>Went 1-for-5 with a run and a walk. He also got picked off first base. less

<b><center>George Springer, outfielder<br></b>
<b>Drafted: </b>11th pick in 2011.<br>
<b>Debut: </b>2014, 24 years old.<br>
<b>Results: </b>Went 1-for-5 with a run and a walk. He also got picked off ... more

An Astros’ 17th-round draft choice in 2008, Simunic isn’t a top prospect. He’s a utility man and lifetime .276 hitter in the minors who’s played every position except catcher. That includes pitcher.

His second time on the mound in pro ball came June 14, 2013, at home in Oklahoma City in an 11-2 loss to Round Rock. He threw 28 pitches in a blowout, walking two and allowing one hit in 1 1/3 innings, from the eighth inning into the ninth.

Something was wrong.

“I felt a stabbing pain, and I knew I was in trouble,” Simunic said. “It took a little longer to diagnose because it wasn’t your typical (situation where your) arm was immediately swollen. I passed a lot of the tests, physical tests that they give you. But when I heard it was torn, I was devastated.”

Karma doesn’t always make sense. Simunic’s good deed was repaid with a ligament tear in his right elbow. He needed Tommy John surgery.

Ten months to the day — on Monday, April 14 — he made it back to Oklahoma City. Pitchers typically require a full year of recovery, but position players can make it back in eight to 10 months.

“It seemed like a one in a million chance,” Simunic said. “It definitely could have happened (playing another position), but they said it was a fresh tear. It definitely happened on the mound and it was just one of those freak accidents.”

“It’s a day I didn’t — I wasn’t sure it would ever come. … It’s pretty special just to get back out there and be able to compete again.”

Simunic’s still going to do whatever his team needs, but don’t be surprised if he shows a little reticence if a position player’s needed to pitch.

“I don’t see me ever doing that,” Simunic said. “I always want to help whatever ball club with. Looking back, I’m kind of like, ‘Yeah, I don’t know if I can do that again.'”